While out here in NC with my Mom, sandcritter and I connected and we, along with another fine fellow, Charles, made a trip to the bustling metropolis of Wagram, NC to visit a gunshop, "Mid South Guns".

Sandcritter had told me that it was a place where a person could spend a lot of money, but that didn't come close to the truth, or the depths of torture that he was leading me into.

We stepped into the biggest collection of fine shotguns I have ever seen. LC Smiths, Parkers, A-5s, AYAs, Francotti's, Ithacas (37's and SxS's), Berettas, Winchesters, Westley Richards, and others I have never run across before.

Not to mention more pre-64 Winchesters, engraved S&W revolvers, Browning BAR's, NIB Colt Revolvers of all types, 1911's (not 1911-A1's!), and Sako's that I've ever seen in one place. Add in the modern pistols, the custom rifles, new Winchester & Browning rifles, surplus military rifles, 18th and 19th Century shotguns and rifles, and old percussion pistols than I've ever seen in one place outside of Wanamacher's Gun Show in Tulsa.

I've been in search of a SxS shotgun that fits me for some time now and have an SKB 20ga that does quite well.
Then, I saw this;







A Parker Bros Model PH, 20 ga, 26" barrels, choked I/C and Mod, looking like it was just pulled out of the box from the factory. Fits me like a glove.

Then, I saw the price tag and knew how EVIL sandcritter really was... $7,000.00.

He just grinned at my misery. To assuage any guilt he may have had over my predicament, he went and bought a really nice Ithaca Flues with engraving in 16ga, further torturing me.

I tell you, if any of you folks run across sandcritter, keep running as he is a terrible influence!

He went to the trouble to drive down, pick me up, take me to that gun shop, then to lunch, and then took me back to my Mom's, all the time being friendly and open. It was all a ruse!



All kidding aside, I had a great time meeting another of the Campfire's finest. I invited him and his other half to our place for the East Texas Gathering in April and I really hope they can make it.

He can even bring that Ithaca...

Ed

A room such as that would be pure torture but in a good way.

That Parker is pure art.

Guess you'll just haveta suffer PEASANT!!

I am, Jim, I am...

The pain was instantaneous and lingering...almost as bad as Shiloh Fever.

Ed

I have a A.H. Fox Sterlingworth Philadelphia double 12 if that helps you suffer some more

Shotgun lust: it's a terrible thing.

You have no idea. We spent about four hours in the shop and I still didn't look at all that was in there. I never got to look through the A-5's and didn't even glance at the modern shotguns or modern pistols.

Someday, I will go back and look further.

Ed

There were quite a few of those, too. You're still the most evil, Jim!

Ed

Sounds like a man who knows.

Ed

Ha, and a pox on you for drawing us in and showing those pics.

Sorry to disappoint you, shotgun lust beats the pox hands down for sheer destruction.

Ed

Some of us do owns fine Parkers especially in DH 16ga attire.

I hereby pass on to you the pox that eyeball would have given me.

Ed

What you mean "us" Kimosabi?

So this is the 'feel bad' thread of the day, i guess.

I would post a pic but salt in an open wound is well...just plain dasturdly.

Doc Rocket has a nice SxS and he keeps promising he will let me pull the trigger on it some day-on a fired hull.

Sounds like Doc is just like sandcritter...

Ed

Ha, for sure.

I ain't saying nuthin...

Its on my list of places to visit, terrified of whats going to happen after i get within the doors .

When I walked out of the door, I turned around and THEN noticed the fine print written above the front door "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here".



Ed

The place sounds a lot like Collectors Firearms, in Houston

Im still trying to get over the pic of. some sweethearts you once posted.

I just did a quick Google search on Mid South Guns and I don't see a web site for them. Do they not have one? I'd love to see some of the inventory from here.

They don't have a website. You need to go there. Seriously. You NEED to go there.

Ed

You know, Ed, Sandcritter is alot like you. You are both top notch folks.

Glad you got to spend some time together.

He is certainly top notch. Thanks for the comparison.

Ed

Whatever you do, DON'T visit Jackson Armory in Dallas!

OK, when are we going?

Ed

Here ya go! http://www.jacksonarmory.com/JA/

You're quite the enabler, too, aren't you?

Ed

I try

Ed,

Did it feel much different than walking into the American Bush Company (on official business of course)?

Porn, porn.....

Oh, yeah, great time had by all, and thanks, Ed, for taking some time out for a little gun running adventure. And in case there were any doubts, too-many-letters is a great fellow, stand-up guy. He wasn't even phased sharing the back seat with an open box of clay pigeons and loose ammo and God only knows how much sheepdog hair.

Good trip. Ed walked in there and went kinda silent. I think he squinted a little, then he veered to the right following my buddy and mentor Charles into the "unwanted's" section of miscellany and sundries, where he instinctively thought he'd be safe. But sooner or later, all birds must leave the nest, brave the rest of the shop floor, and risk "the homicide that will happen seven days hence in east Texas if I come home with that," as Ed put it.

None of us would want that, now. That's why before leaving Eden I made sure Ed knew they do have lay away and here's their business card, now let's take a picture documenting your happiness holding a particular Parker so your wife might gain insight into your pending, discretionary firearm budget limit increase request. Never know, it might work.

As if further evidence of the danger we faced was needed, yes, I left the house specifically reminding myself I didn't need anything and am trying to do some saving-up lately. But I'd also been avoiding the misc. shotgun wall for about a month and lo and behold, when did they get this little Ithaca in? One of the less sexy guns in that place, but remarkably clean, with traditional Ithaca engraving that isn't as commonly found in our area, 16ga with 2 3/4" chambers, 28" mod/full. Shouldered scary good. Priced right, had some trade bait in the jeep, I mean what's a guy supposed to do...?

Yeah, shootin' that sucker tomorrow if rain holds off.

24hr hosts a lot of characters, and nearly to a one all good guys. Thanks, Ed, for a good trip.

Barrels are too short.

Mine, or the Parker? I like 26" barrels for a quail gun.

Bob, The Great Alaska Bush Co is a place you look, but DON'T touch! This place is worse. You can fondle all you want.

Ed

HAHAHA damn, I'll bring similar so you can bust some clay birds with mine at the campout at your place Ed.

He is all that, and one of the fire members that everyone should try to meet. I always enjoy being around him. miles

Sandcritter told me about you and your treasure. You're just as bad as he is!

Looking forward to the Gathering and shaking your hand, Jerry!

Ed

Now I have a daytrip from home. And a daytrip for when I visit the in-laws this summer in NC.

You people are trouble.

Same here Ed, this one has 28" Krupp steel barrels and is a 6.5 lb 12 Bore SXS double, a real sweet shooting/swinging bird gun.

Let the record show, some of this evil influence started with Gunner and his light twelve A5 at a hog hunt a few years ago. Hadn't hunted a shotgun in twenty some years, and then was only recently again dabbling by myself at the range with a cz/ huglu and M37. Wasn't really "feeling" it again.

Anyway, had never shot an A5 until that day, and was such a night/ day difference in fit and snatching clays out of the sky... hell, I asked Jerry if he'd consider giving it a new home. No luck. Well, that's when the sickness began in earnest, chasing that elusive fit in interesting old guns. Reckon have found it by now, but too much fun to stop "looking".

I remember that day well Doc, hell, you couldn't miss with my old A-5, it was worth the price of admission just to watch you enjoy that old Belgium girl.

You know she is a three barreled set, has the 26" IC barrel you were shooting, a 30" Full for ducks, geese, Turkeys and the like, and a 24" barrel with rifle sights, I spect, if need be, a man could successfully hunt and kill all U.S. game with that set-up.

It shoots the 2-3/4" Brenekke KO slugs to 4 and 5" groups at 100 yards.

Outstanding! Glad to hear you're going to make it!

Ed

I can't wait!

Ed

Do I need to bring my double rifles?

Does a kitty have a climbing gear? Is pig nookie pork? Does a bear defecate in the forest?

Ed

Rah-Jah, thought you'd be up for a volley of 577 Nitro.

What the heck. I'm tired of my neck vertebra being in the same old places anyway.

Ed

A friend of mine showed his Boss SS shotgun from his collection. Nice looking firearm. I had no idea a shotgun could cost that much.

The only difference between the men and boys
Are the size of their feet and the price of their toys-G. Clark

My wife of 50½-years came with a dowry ... a Parker VHE in 12-gauge.

The woman was worth it and the shottygun was totally, absolutely and damned well worth it!!!

God Bless,

Steve

LOL, I have 10 or so each of the Woodleigh 750 gr bullets, Ill load those up for plinking, have the rifle regulated to shoot to the sights with the Barnes softs and solids.

doc is an evil man

I keep saying that! Toss in Gunner500, EvilTwin, Crossfireoops, and sharpsguy, and you have a real terror team!

Ed

So ED, which one are you trying to sneak past Barbra? miles

Miles, I gave that up years and years ago.

Ed

It's only hard on your teeth

So I should wear a mouthguard when I shoot it?

Do I need to wear a cup, too?

Ed

if you ever get to phoenix, there is a special room at a private residence in paradise valley. Use to be run by the head of winchester's shotgun division until h is death. All high end shotguns. There are blanks for stocks in there that were alive two hundred years ago. One day i was in there and he handed me this very pretty shotgun, had a four barrel set. Price tag was ih the 300k range if i remember right. They were flying in italians yearly to do engraving. I couldn't put that gun down fast enough.
the thing i will always regret is choking up on the price on this little 28guage double called a tulip. Made in england turn of the century, english leather canvas case, cut glass oil bottle, and the grip on the stock was smaller that my wrist. I looked at that gun for over a year, and was stupid enought not to buy it.

I was lucky enough to become the owner of this. sure it is a refininsh.....but whoever did it was a top level craftsman with no detail spared

high_country, are you going to bring that down to the Gathering and let us shoot it?

Ed

well, you may want the mouthgard, I dunno. You may want the cup if you drop it.

I am in year two of the post divorce heal....so I hope this year is business as it used to be. I am all about letting folk pull the trigger on this beaut.....it breaks like an icicle at about 3# and I have not yet missed a rooster with it.

If I drop it, I will need a full body armor suit and a paid-up life insurance policy!

Ed

I sure wish I could get out to your gathering. I would have some serious shotgun envy!

, I'll load those 750 gr Woodleighs for 'plinking'.

Damn nice SXS HC, green here.

If the 750's outa the .577 are too much for folks, they can try the 500's out of the 9 lb Ruger

I'll bring you my snub nosed Bisley 44 mag firing 340 gr WFNGC's at 1250.

oh

thanks

Anything for a Bud , can't wait to see that 475 Linebaugh though.

Troy, I sure wish you could get out to the Gathering. I would really like to shake your hand.

Oh, and maybe have a bluegill catching contest...

Ed

well, I am planning to bring it...



need to chrono a couple more loads. The case has about 5% less capacity than a .458 win, but I am hoping the larger bore and long throat allows similar velocities with 500 gr bullets.

Paladin was kind enough to give me some heavy hard casts for it, and I'll probably try for something around 1800 fps or so for the big lead knockers.

Nice, you gonna roll a hog with that in Tejas.

I'll have it with me, it does have a scope on it though not an illuminated reticle model.

It might just over-penetrate a pig, though

The case, you probably recall is a .50-110 necked to .475. So don't show it to Bobby or he'll get distressed...

Yes, his bones will begin to hairline fracture at the mere sight of it. lmao

I recall Bobby shooting yours, and yelping. Then a few hours later Dan firmly grabbed his shoulder and asked if it still hurt, and Bobby yelped again

LOL, and excuse me for getting the 'Crafstmen' mixed up, your #1 is a 475 "Turnbull," right?

Hmm. Interesting.

Is there a link between excess flatus and osteoporosis?

Bobby, I'd like you to get checked before you get hurt by one of these boomers.

YEP!

10-Foe Patrick.